摘要 |
Methods and apparatuses for cleaning an electrical lighter are provided. A sleeve, e.g., ceramic or metal, surrounds the heater fixture, and a resistive heating element (210) is in thermal proximity with the sleeve. The resistive heating element (210) is either a dedicated element or the cigarette heating elements (210). The sleeve serves as an aerosol barrier and condensate accumulator to protect other components. Periodically, e.g., substantially contemporaneously with a battery recharge, the heating element (210) is activated to thermally liberate condensates deposited on the sleeve during smoking and also heats, and thereby cleans, other components. Also, a cleaning element is optionally inserted into the cigarette receptacle of the electrical lighter or placed at the exit thereof to absorb, attract and/or catalytically break down the thermally liberated condensates. The sleeve also directs a desired flow path for drawn air within an electrical lighter toward the cigarette.
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申请人 |
PHILIP MORRIS PRODUCTS INC. |
发明人 |
LOSEE, DONALD B.;ADAMS, JOHN M.;HOUCK, WILLIE G., JR.;PAINE, JOHN B., III;RAYMOND, WYNN R.;NUNNALLY, H. NEAL;MORGAN, CONSTANCE H.;NAWORAL, JOHN D.;HAJALIGOL, MOHAMMAD R.;CROWE, WILLIAM J.;SPRINKEL, FRANCIS M.;SEEMAN, JEFFREY I.;RIPLEY, ROBERT L.;WATKINS, MICHAEL L.;FOURNIER, JAY A.;FLEISCHHAUER, GRIER S. |